Looper mechanism.



l. WEIS.

LOOPER MECHANISM,

APPLICATION man APR. 25. mm.

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LOOPER MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 25. I91?- Patented Apr. 30, 1918;

2 SHEETS'SHEE T 2.

mien ra r rad i JOHN P. WEIS, OF NYACKgNJEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNEASSIGNMENTS, T0 METROPOLITAN SEWING MACHINE CORPORATION, OF DOVER,DELAWARE, A

CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

Loornn MECHANISM.

specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 30, TOTO.

Application filed April 25, 1917. Serial No. 164.317.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, JOHN P. Wrus, a citizen of the United States,residing at Nyack, in the county of Rockland and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Looper Mechanism, ofwhich thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to sewing machines, more particularly, however,to the looper and thread controlling mechanism thereof, the object ofthe invention being to provide improved looper mechanism and drivingmeans therefor capable of high speed with a minimum amount of vibrationand noise and to operate it directly from the bottom shaft of themachine and todo this by reducing to a minimum the number ofreciprocating parts and avoiding as far as possible the multipliedmovements, thereby to prolong the life of the mechanism.

Another object is to have the mechanism for imparting all the movementsto the looper located below the cloth plate and in close proximity tothe loop taking position.

Heretofore machines commonly used for making the two thread 'cha-institch, were of the needle lever variety having one arm of the needlelever operating the looper to and fro while the other arm of the leveroperated the needle, other means operated from the main shaft being usedto vibrate the loopers from front, to rearof the needles. Tn machines ofa later design, where the needle lever just referred to is entirelyeliminated and where a top and bottom rotary shaft with multi leconnections to transmit power from one s aft to the other is used it isexpensive and undesirable to operate the looper mechanism from the topshaft because it entails many connections which require attention,oiling and adjustments and they are expensive to maintain in operation.It is therefore desirable to have all of the looper driving mechanismderive its movement from the bottom shaft and close to the.

stitching position because not only are the connections shorter but themoving parts can be 1i hter and can operate at higher speed wit outvibration or noise, and such an organization offers better facilitiesfor oiling, while it is cleaner in operation because the main operatingmechanism requiring oil is located below thecloth plate and is less aptto result in damaged work due to the flying of oil from the rapidlymoving parts.

In connection with the foregoing improved looper mechanism, an improvedthread controlling means for the looper threads thereof is providedcomprising an improved thread take up and nipper located in front of themachine instead of at the usual position in the rear, whereby itisdirectly in front of the operator at all times, is therefore moreaccessible for threading and it is easy to oil or adjust the operatingparts, and moreover is in a more direct line of travel of the threads.

In the drawings accompanying and form ing a part of this specificationFigure 1 is a top plan view of the base of a sewing machine showing thelooper and its'operating mechanism, the looper thread handling mechanismand a portion of the feed operating mechanism, other parts being brokenaway. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. l and lookingin the direction of the arrows, and shows the gearing which operates thelooper driving shaft and also the adjusting means for properly meshingthe teeth of the gears. Fig. 3 is a sec tional detail of the threadtension for the looper threads. Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on thelines 4-4 of Fig. 1 and illustrates the construction of the machinebase, the looper slide and the gearing for drivin the loopers. Fig. 5 isa front elevation 0 Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a detail of the thread nipperparts. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the looper holders; andFig. 8 is a perspective view of the looper carrier and shows the curvedsurface to which the looper holder is adjustably secured.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in theseveral figures of the drawings.

The machine base l is provided with a rib 2 which extends all around theouter edge of the base to form a proper support to secure the machine tothe table in a satisfactory manner, suitable projections or feet 4 beingformed integral with the rib. The rib 2 thus forms a chamber or space 3under the base or top 1 and this top has an opening 5 formed thereinprovided with angular side walls 6 forming a pocket. At the front end ofthe base 1 is a bearing 7 (see v Fig. 1) for the bottom shaftand at therear end is a bearing 8 for this shaft 56. Bearings 9 and 10 (seeFig. 1) are cast integral with the base to support the feed rocker frameshaft 11 carrying the feed rocker frame 12. The top portion of thisrocker frame 12 carries a shaft 13 which is secured to a connection 14by a screw 15. The usual stitch regulating adjustable crank pin 16 hassecured thereto and operates this connection 14 to give movement to thefeed bar 17 and the feed dog 18 carried by the feed bar (see Fig. 5).The vertical rise and fall movement is imparted to the feed bar by aneccentric 19 and eccentric strap 20 in the usual manner located on theshaft 56. Adjacent to the feed lift eccentric 19 is located a loopervibrating eccentric 21 having a flange 22. This eccentric 21 hasoperating thereon a block 23 (see Fig. 1) which operates in a fork 24 ofa looper slide 25 to reciprocate it in a guideway 26 between gibs 27, soarranged as to take up wear. This looper slide carries at its forwardend a bearing 28 (see Fig. 1) and also has a similar bearing 29 spacedtherefrom, both tapped to receive conical adjusting screws 30 which aresecured therein by set screws 31. The looper carrier 32 (see Fig. 8)operates on these conical screws and by means of this construction itsposition in relation to the needle may be adjusted quickly withexactness. This looper carrier 32 has an arm 33 provided at its upperend with a stud such as a, ball stud. The top 35 of the looper carrieris shaped or curved in the arc of a circle the radius of which is struckfrom the center or axis of the conical screws, and this curved portionaffords a seat for the looper holders 36 (see Figs. '5 and 8). Thelooper holders carry the loopers 37 which are provided with the usualthread eyes and thread grooves and are secured 1n the-sockets oftheholders by screws 38, while screws 39 clamp the looper-holders adustably on the curved surface 35 of the carrier. To maintain the sidealinement of the looper holders parallel ribs 40 (see Fig. 8) are formedon the top of the curved surface 35, while each looper holder isprovlded with a groove 41 to fit over its rib and, this enables theloopers to be adjusted to and fro with respect to their length of traveland also enables the loopers to be adjusted one independently of theother. This adustment is especially useful in a machine for two linestitching and is found a great convenience in machines where it isnecessary to change the needle gages frequently, as for instance institching the tips of shoes and the like, where, by leaving out needlesor placlng them in different positions in the needle holders, changes inthe spacing between the rows of stitches is .to be made. Heretofore ithas been necessary to substitute a difi'erent gage of looper drivers forothers to meet such requirements. The ball stud has pivotally fittedthereto a ball joint or connection 42. An adjustable rod 43 forms a.connection between this ball joint 42 and ball joint 44 which operateson a ball stud 45, which may be part of a transverse shaft 46 providedwith a flange 47 (see Fig. 2) and a threaded end 48 to receive a nut andlock nut 49 and thrust collar 50. These parts regulate the end movementof the shaft 46. The shaft 46 operates in -bearings 51 and 52, formingthe lower half bearing for the shaft and a space 53 is provided betweenthe hearings to receive oil to lubricate the spiral gear 54 fixed to theshaft 46 and its companion gear 55 carried by the bottom shaft 56. Thisgear 55 is covered by a two part casing one part as 57 of which formsthe top half as at 58 of the bearing 51. while the other part 59 formsthe top half as at 60 of the bearing 52. Each section or part is held inposition by suitable screws 61. The casing has an oil receivingprojection 62 extending up close to the cloth plate 63 shown by dottedlines, (see Fig. 5). It will be seen from this construction that anefficient right angle gear drive is provided to operate the loopers atright angles to the line of feed, which has ample lubricating facilitiesas the gears practically run in oil, thus insuring long life and quietaction.

In the manufacture of gears that must operate at a speed of 4000 R. P.M. without lost motion to its operated mechanism, it is necessary thatthe gears be set very close so that the teeth will mesh and not shake,yet they must operate freely without binding or heating. To maintaininterchangeability of the gears and such accuracy makes these parts veryexpensive and to overcome these difiiculties, I have provided means foradjusting the bottom gear 54 with respect to the gear 55 and therebyavoid expensive fitting as this improvement takes care of the variationin the manufacture of the gears. The base 1 is provided with 2. lug 64(see Figs. 1 and 2) which receives a stud 65 secured therein by a pin66. This stud is screw threaded to receive adjusting nuts 67 and conicalwashers 68 which are seated in conical seats 69 at the meeting ends ofarms 70 extending from the bearing for the car 54. The end of thebearing 52 is provided with lugs 71 which project upwardand receiveconical screws 7 2 which are tapped into lugs 73 carried by the base 1.Locks nuts 74 are provided to lock these screws in a fixed position. Theconical screws form a pivotal support for the driving shaft bearingwhile the adjusting means 64 et seq. above described forms the thirdsupport and securely holds the gears in proper working position whilepermitting the gear 54 to be adjusted toward and from gear 55 byadjusting the I actose bearings therefor. To enable free access toadjust the end thrust of the shaft. 46 an opening 75 (see Fig. 1) isprovided in the bottom bearing bracket while the arms .70 are so shapedand proportioned as to give rigidityto the mechanism.

The looper thread controlling mechanism consists of a bracket 76 securedas hereinbefore stated at the front of the machine and therefore to thefront side of base 1 by screws f7 (see Fig. 5). This bracket has abearing 78 for a shaft 79 and also has a vertical post 80 to receive therocking nipper plate 81 which is pivoted on screw stud 82.- The plate 81has. depending ears 83 slotted at 8 1 so that it may be adjustedverticall and is secured in position by a nut and 100' shaft 56. Thiseccentric operates between a lower jaw 90 of the rocker and a spring jaw91 secured to the top thereof by screws 92. A nipper 93 is also securedthereto by said screws 92 and extends outward to cooperate with thenipper plate .81 to clamp the looper threads as desired. An eccentric 94secured to the bottom shaft 56 (see Fi 4) operates the connection 95(see Fig. 1

which is connected as at 96 to a crank arm 97 secured to the shaft 79for rocking it in its, bearing 78. A thread take up finger 98 secured asat 99 to this shaft 79 and rocks to and fro between the thread guides100 (see Fig. 5). This finger 98 carries a supplementary take up Wire101 adjustably secured thereto as at 102 and acts on the looper threadbetween the thread guide 100 and a tension 103 (see Figs. 1 and 5).Thistension comprises a plate 104 having its ends bentup as at 106 tofreely permitthe threads to pass thereunder. This plate is secured to astud 105. Holes are provided in the plate to freely receive pins 107. Aspring 108'encircles the end of the stud 105 and an adjusting nut 109'is provided for adjusting the tension thereof.

' Thistension is carried by an arm extending from the bracket 76.. Atthe rear end of the machine thread guides 111 are provided to receivethe looper threads 112 as they lead from the sup ly to these guides fromwhich .the threa extends up over the pivoted nipper plate 81 andunderneath the loopers come forward to receive the needle loops, the niper opens for the free passage of the threa 112 and as the loopers aremoving forward the thread is drawn from the supply through the Variousthread guides and tension until the forward position of the looper isreached, at which time the nipper clamps the thread. The take up finger98 moves forward as the loopers are moving backward to pick up thethread until the needles are near the loopers at which time thesupplementary thread wire 101 will engage the thread and give anadditional take up action thereto to draw taut the thread extending fromthe front eye of the looper to the preceding stitch sufficient to insurethe proper positioning thereof while the thread tension comprising theparts 104: et seq. keeps the thread from forming about the looper pointsat the completion of the stitch.

The various details may be more or less changed without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the present improvement.

ll claim as my invention:

1. In a sewing machine having a base, the combination of a .shaftsupported by said base, looper mechanism comprising a slide, a loopercarrier pivotally secured to the slide, means carried by the shaft fhrreciprocating the slide transversely of said shaft, a shaft extendingtransversely of said first shaft, and connected with the looper carrierfor shifting the carrier transversely of the slide, and gearing carriedby said shafts and located between the ends of said transverse shaft fortransmitting motion to said transvere shaft.

2. The construction described in claim 1, in which the set of gears areformed as spiral gears.

3. The construction described in claim 1, in which the pivotalconnection for the loopers is an adjustable one.

a. The construction described in claim 1, in which the transverse shaftand the gear carried thereby are supported by an adjustable bearing, andmeans for adjusting said bearing.

5. In a sewing machine having a base, the combination of a shaftsupported by said base, looper mechanism comprising a slide, a loopercarrier pivotally secured to the slide, means carried by the shaft forreciprocating the slide transversely of said shaft, a shaft extendingtransversely of said first shaft and connected with the looper carrierfor shifting the carrier transversely of theslide, gearing carried bysaid shafts for transmitting motion to said transverse shaft, anadjustable bearing for supporting said transverse shaft and its er, andmeans for adjusting said bearing laterall and also in a directiontransversely to sai first shaft. 6. The construction described in claim1, in which the transverse shaft and its gear are supported by. anadjustable bearing supported only at three oints.

7. Ina sewing mac ine having a base, the combination of a shaftsupported by-sa1d base, looper mechanism comprising a slide, a loopercarrier pivotally secured to the slide, means carried by the shaft forreciprocating the slide transversely of said shaft, a shaft extendingtransversely of said first shaft and connected with the looper carrierfor shifting the carrier transversely of the slide, gearing carried bysaid shafts for transmitting motion to said transverse shaft, and aswingingly' adjustable bearing pivotally supported at one end andadjustable at the opposite end for supporting said transverse shaft andits gear.

8. The construction described in claim 7, in which the pivotal supportsare adjustable to laterally adjust the bearing.

9. The construction described in claim 1, in which the loopers arepivotally supported by adjustable conical pivots.

10. In a sewing machine having a. base, the combination of a shaftsupported by said base, looper mechanism comprising a slide, a loopercarrier pivotally secured to the slide, means carried by the shaft forreciprocating the slide transversely of saidshaft, a shaft extendingtransversely of said first shaft and connected with the looper carrierfor shifting the carrier transversely of the slide, and gearing carriedby said shafts for transmitting motion to said transverse shaft, saidtransverse shaft and its gear being adjustably supported by adjustableconical pivots.

11. In a sewing machine having a base, the combination'of a shaftsupported by said base, looper mechanism comprising a slide, a loopercarrier pivotally secured to the slide, means carried by the shaft forreci rocating the slide transversely of said sha t, a shaft extendingtransversely of said first shaft and connected with the looper carrierfor shifting the carrier transversely of the slide, and gearing carriedby said shafts for transmitting motion to said transverse shaft, saidlooper carrier being adjustably supported by conical pivots and saidtransverse shaft and its 'gear being also adjustably supported byconical pivots. 12. In a sewing machine having a base, the combinationof a shaft supported by said base, looper mechanism comprising a slide,a looper carrier pivotally secured to the slide, means carried by theshaft for reci rocating the slide transversely of said sha t, 'a shaftextending transversely of said first shaft and connected with the loopercarrier for shifting the carrier transversely of the slide, gearingcarried by said shafts for transmitting motion to said transverse shaft.and a casing inc'losing said gearing and having bearings for saidtransverse 13, in which the curved surface of the looper carrier isconcentric with the axis of the pivots.

15. The construction described in claim 13, in which the looper carrieris pivotally supported by adjustable conical pivots.

16. The construction described in claim 13, iIrWhich the looper carrieris supported by a slide.

17. The construction described in claim 16, in which the slide isprovided with adjustable conical pivots for the looper carrier and inwhich the curved surface of the carrier is provided with one or moreribs extending lengthwise'thereof, and a looper holder adjustable oneach of said ribs.

18. In a sewing machine the combination of looper mechanism comprisingaclooper carrier and means for supporting it, means for shifting thecarrier in transverse directions, said carrier having a curved surface,one or more looper holders carried by said surface, the'curved surfaceof the looper carrier and of each of the looper holders having one agroove and the other a rib. 0 19. The construction described in claim18, in which the looper carrier is supported by adjustable conicalpivots, and a slide carrying said pivots.

20. In a sewing machine the combination of looper mechanism comprising alooper carrier and means for supporting it, a shaft and means connectedtherewith for shifting the looper carrier in one direction and meansalso connected with said shaft for shifting the looper carrier in atransverse direction and comprising gears, one carried by the shaft, atransverse shaft carrying the other gear between its ends; and anadjustable bearing for carrying said transverse shaft at each side ofsaid last gear.

21. In a sewing machine the combination of looper mechanism comprising alooper carrier and means for supporting it, a shaft and means connectedtherewith for shifting the looper carrier in one direction, means alsoconnected with said shaft for shifting the looper carrier in atransverse direction and comprising gears, one carried by the shaft, atransverse shaft for carrying the other gear, and an adjustable bearingfor carrying said transverse shaft and supported at three points only.

22. In a sewing machine the combination nae-ates of looper mechanismcomprisinga looper carrier and means for supporting it, a shaft andmeans connected therewith for shifting the looper carrier in onedirection, means also connected with said shaft for shifting the loopercarrier in a transverse direction and comprising gears, onecarried bythe shaft, a transverse shaft carrying the other gear, and an adjustablebearing for carrying said transverse shaft, said adjustable bearingbeing pivotally supported at one end for swinging movement and providedat the other end with means for adjusting it.

23. The construction described in claim 22, in which the pivotal supportfor the ad'- justable bearing comprises adjustable conical pivots.

24. The construction described in claim 23, in which the means foradjusting the bearing on said conical pivots comprises means for raisingandlowering the bearing transversely ofits pivotal axis.

2. 5. In a sewing machine the combination of looper mechanism comprisinga slide, a looper carrier pivotally secured thereto, one or moreadjustable looper holders secured to said carrier for movementtransversely of the slide, a shaft,,means operated thereby forreciprocating the slide transversely of the shaft, spiral gearing forshifting the loopers transversely of the slide and comprising a gearfixed to said shaft and a gear thereunder, a transverse shaft. carryingsaid last gear, and means connecting it with the looper carrler. 1

26. The construction described in claim 25 in'which the said transverseshaft and the gear carried thereby are supported by a three-pointadjustable bearing, pivotally supported at one end for swingingmovement'and having means at its other end for swinging it toward andfrom the companion ear. g 27. A sewing machine having a base, a shaftsupported thereby, looper mechanism comprising a slide, a looper=carrierpivotally' secured to the slide,means carried by said shaft forreeciprocating the slide transversely of the shaft, spiral gears carriedin the base of the machine for oscillating the loopers transversely ofthe slide, one carried by said shaft, a shaft extending transversely ofsaid shaft for supporting the other spiral gear, supporting meanscarryin said last shaft and its spiral gear and a justableto shift saidlast gear toward and from its compamon gear to properly mesh the same,adjustable conical pivots for said supporting means, a casing inclosingsaid'gears and having an oil opening, looper thread controllingmeanslocated at the front side of the base carried by said thread take-upfinger, and a tension device.

28. In a sewing machine having a base, the combination of a shaftcarried thereby, looper mechanism comprising a looper carrier and meansfor supporting it for movement in transverse directions, means operatedby the shaft for shifting the said looper in transverse directions, and.looper thread controlling means attachedto the front edge of the base.

29. The construction described in claim 28, in which the looper threadcontrolling means comprises a take-up finger also operated from saidshaft.

30. In a sewing machine having a base, the combinatiton of a shaftcarried thereby, looper mechanism comprising a looper carrier and meansfor supporting it-for movement in transverse directions, means operatedby the shaft for shifting said looper in transverse directions, andlooper thread controlling means located at the front side of the base,said looper thread controllingmeans comprising a take-up finger alsooperated from saidshaft, said take-up finger being provided with asupplementary take-up finger.

31. The construction described in claim 28, in which the looper threadcontrolling means comprises nipper mechanism also operated from saidshaft.

32. The construction described in claim 31', in which the nippermechanism comprises an adjustable nipper plate, a nipper co operatingwith said plate, and means for operatingthe nipper relatively to theplate and including a rocking device and an eccentric carried by saidshaft. I 33. The construction describedin claim 28, in which .the looperthread controlling means comprises a take-up finger and nippermechanism.

34. The construction described in claim 33, in which the take-up fingeris provided with a supplementary take-up finger.

35.- In a sewing machine having a base, the combination of a shaftcarried thereby, looper mechanism comprising a looper carrier and meansfor supporting it for movement in transverse directions, means operatedby the shaft for shifting said looper in transverse directions, looperthread controllin means located at the front. side of the base, saidlooper thread controlling means comprising a bracket secured to thefront side of the base of the machine, a rock shaft therein, a take-upfinger secured to the'rock shaft, and means secured to said first shaftfor rocking said shaft and thereby the takeup finger.

36. The construction described in claim 35, in which the said take-upfinger is provided with a supplementary take-up finger.

37. The construction described in claim 36, in which the threadcontrolling'means also comprises nipper mechanism consisting of anadjustable nlpper plate, a nipper cooperating with said plate, means foroperating the nipper relatively to the plate and comprising a rockingdevice pivotally secured to the bracket, and an eccentric on said firstshaftfor rocking said device and thereby the nippeiz,

38. The construction described in claim 37, in which the threadcontrolling means also comprises an adjustable tension device secured tothe bracket to one side of the supplementary take-up finger.

39. In a sewing machine having a base, the combination of loopermechanism located at the front side of the base, and looper threadcontrolling means located forwardly of the looper mechanism and securedtothe front edge of the base and comprising a plurality of movableparts, and means for shifting said parts.

40. In a sewing machine havin a base the combination of looper mechanismcomprising a slide, a looper carrier pivotally supported thereby, ashaft carried by the base, means carried thereby for operating thelooper carrier in transverse directions, looper thread controlling meanssecured to the front edge of the'base, and means also operated from saidshaft for operating the looper thread controlling means.

41. In a sewing machine having a base, the combination of loopermechanism comprising a slide, a looper carrier pivotally supportedthereby, a shaft carried by the base, means carried thereby foroperating the looper carrier in transverse directions, looper threadcontrolling means sup orted by said base, and means also operate fromsaid'shaft for operating the looper thread controlling means, one ofsaid looper operating means comprising a pair of spiral gears and atransverse shaft for supporting one of said. gears between its ends.

42. In a sewing machine havin a base, the combination of looper mechamsmcomprising a slide, a looper carrier pivotally supported thereby, ashaft carried by the base, means carried thereby for operating thelooper carrier in transverse directions, l00per thread controlling meanssupported by said base, and means also operated from said shaft foroperating the looper thread controlling means, one of said looperoperating means comprising a pair of spiral gears and a transverse.shaft for supporting one of said gears, said shaft extendingtransversely of said first shaft, an adjustable bearing for supportingsaid transverse shaft, said bearing being pivotally supported at one endfor lateral adjustment, and means at the opposite end for adjusting ittransversely of its pivotal axis.

.43. In a sewing machine having a base, a shaft carried thereby, loopermechanism and means for operating the looper mechanism and including apair of gears, one carried b said shaft, a shaft extending transverse yof said first shaft for carrying the other gear, means for supportingsaid transverse shaft and its gear and c0mprising an adjustable bearingpivotally supported for swinging movement, and means for adjustingsaid-bearing 44. The construction described in claim 43, in which thepivotal supports for said bearing are adjustable thereby to adjust thebearing laterally.

'Signed at Nyack, New York, this 18th day of April, one thousand ninehundred seventeen.

JOHN P. Wars

